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Overview of the Six Kingdoms of Life

May 7, 2025

Six Kingdoms of Life

Objective

  • Demonstrate knowledge of the six kingdoms of life.
  • Gather information to fill out a graphic organizer chart.
  • Answer questions about newly discovered organisms using the chart.

Kingdom Eubacteria

  • Unicellular life forms.
  • Prokaryotic cells (no nucleus, simpler structure).
  • Cell walls made of peptidoglycan.
  • Classification:
    • Autotrophs: Make their own food (photosynthesis or chemosynthesis).
    • Heterotrophs: Rely on other organisms for food.
    • Decomposers: Break down dead organisms and organic wastes.
  • Commonly found in soil, water, air, and on surfaces.
  • Important for digestion, waste breakdown, and food products like yogurt.
  • Some are pathogens (e.g., streptococcus, salmonella).

Kingdom Archaebacteria

  • Prokaryotic organisms (no nucleus).
  • Unicellular and simple structure.
  • Cell walls vary among species.
  • Known as extremophiles, found in extreme environments (hot springs, arctic, salty, acidic).
  • Classification:
    • Autotrophs: Photosynthesis or chemosynthesis.
    • Heterotrophs: Depend on other organisms for food.
    • Decomposers: Break down dead organic matter.
  • Examples: Thermophiles, Halophiles, Methanogens.

Kingdom Protista

  • Eukaryotes (cells with a nucleus).
  • Typically found in moist environments.
  • Mostly unicellular, but some like kelp are multicellular.
  • Some have cell walls, which vary in composition.
  • Classification:
    • Autotrophs: Photosynthesis (e.g., algae).
    • Heterotrophs: Consume other organisms (e.g., amoeba, paramecium).
    • Decomposers: Break down organic matter (e.g., slime molds).
  • Examples: Amoeba, Paramecium, Slime Mold, Algae.

Kingdom Fungi

  • Eukaryotic cells with a nucleus.
  • Cell walls made of chitin.
  • Includes both unicellular (yeasts) and multicellular organisms (molds, mushrooms).
  • Do not move on their own; heterotrophs.
  • Decomposers: Use external digestion to absorb nutrients.
  • Ecologically and economically important: Nutrient cycling, drugs, food production.
  • Examples: Mushrooms, Molds, Yeast.

Kingdom Plantae

  • Multicellular eukaryotes.
  • Autotrophs: Make food through photosynthesis (chlorophyll for capturing light energy).
  • Cell walls made of cellulose.
  • Provide oxygen, food, and habitat; essential for life on Earth.
  • Examples: Mosses, Ferns, Flowers, Trees.

Kingdom Animalia

  • Multicellular eukaryotes.
  • Cells lack cell walls.
  • Heterotrophs: Must ingest food.
  • More species than all other kingdoms.
  • Diverse body plans; motile.
  • Examples: Insects, Coral, Gorilla.